While residents across the region have been hearing about and reflecting on the Homecoming celebrations seen in the Royal City following its larger-than-normal turnout, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is now releasing details on its own response and the $137,000 cost alongside it.
The figures discussed during a recent WRPS board meeting pointed to a turnout of approximately 7,500 people at the Homecoming festivities at Wilfrid Laurier University, laying as many as 96 charges and arresting six individuals.
“There’s a lot that goes into this beyond just a single or series of events,” said WRPS Chief Mark Crowell.
“It’s trying to build that full capacity that is ready for all contingencies.”
Those numbers compare with what was seen in 2025, when there were slightly more charges doled out, with 104 last year and one fewer arrest.
The list of those charges in 2026 largely centred around Highway Traffic Act offences, which made up more than half of the list of charges handed out at 53, followed closely by offences under the Liquor License Act at 35.
Of note, WRPS stated that there were no unsanctioned gatherings across the entirety of the University District this year.
While the region still sat fairly close to its numbers in recent years for its own Homecoming festivities, the City of Guelph had to battle through quite the challenge, with an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 attendees at its unsanctioned gathering on Chancellors Way.
The city said the increased turnout led to as many as 550 incidents and a more than 100 per cent increase in police call volume compared with previous years, costing Guelph Police approximately $91,000 in preventative and response efforts.
During that recent WRPS board meeting, members reflected on the “chaos in Guelph at their Homecoming,” likening it to what has been seen in previous years with the region’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
“I think it’s a reminder to us why planning and being responsible while we’re doing these (is important), whether it’s a festival or Homecoming or anything in our communities,” said WRPS board Chair Ian McLean.
“There’s a ton of planning going into them, but safety is paramount.”
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For WRPS, that planning and response throughout the busy weekend cost the local service an estimated $137,000, mainly consisting of overtime costs at $68,430.
That was followed by on-duty salaries, which cost around $29,870 and logistical costs incurred at $4,370.
The other major cost on WRPS’ tab went to Niagara Regional Police Service, which provided support throughout the weekend and cost the region $34,410.
“This is well planned; it’s a month-long of activities,” McLean stated.
“$137,000 for, primarily Homecoming, but to do this activity, it feels like this is much more orderly, much more collaboration with the universities.”
The local service has already stated that, with Homecoming now in the rearview mirror, preparations have already begun for St. Patrick’s Day in the region.
It stated that lessons are always being learned, saying, “Every time we have an event like this, we evaluate our response.”
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